Posted By: 98RAM1500
rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 01:54 PM
heres a pick of this bracket that i was told helps old the gear box to the frame
rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 02:01 PM
Yes this bracket is considered a must have on most later 70's to 80's dodge trucks - we are in the process of getting someone to reproduce it since chrysler saw fit to quit making it about 10 years ago.
David S.
David S.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 02:19 PM
I could/would use one when you do repop them. 
Posted By: 1moparman
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 04:15 PM
Quote:ditto
I could/would use one when you do repop them.
Posted By: Robbins
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 04:41 PM
What did these come out on? Does my 86 have one?
Lee
Lee
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 04:48 PM
Quote:
I could/would use one when you do repop them.
10-4 I will keep a list - and will of course be posting here also.
Thank you MOPARTS - for helping everyone share info!!
Posted By: 98RAM1500
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 05:09 PM
well my 81 ram doesn't have one and a 79 warlock i had didn't had one either
Posted By: MoparJoe
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 08:37 PM
Quote:
What did these come out on? Does my 86 have one?
Lee
My old '86 didn't have one, I didn't know they existed 'til I was poking around the '88 I just picked up.
Posted By: 340SHORTY
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/26/06 11:16 PM
the brackets didnt come out on anything from the factory assy line. they were a factory fixit for weak frames in the steering box area..
Posted By: MoparJoe
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/27/06 03:39 AM
Good to know - I had to repair my '86 for that reason- the frame broke in front of the box, the '88 is solid in that area so I guess the bracket works.
Posted By: 98RAM1500
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/27/06 03:40 PM
I will probably sell this one I have, I will clean it up and shoot some primer on it to help keep it from rusting or some black engine enamel
Posted By: oleman
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/27/06 03:44 PM
My 85 ramcharger 2wd does not have one. After 21 years the frame still looks good. Down here in rust-free Dallas. Could be it was for 4wd.
Posted By: MoparJoe
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/27/06 09:03 PM
Quote:
My 85 ramcharger 2wd does not have one. After 21 years the frame still looks good. Down here in rust-free Dallas. Could be it was for 4wd.
No rust on mine either but when you turn the wheel you can see the frame flexing.
Posted By: Dallasdan
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 12:10 AM
Mine flexes too. I was just gonna weld the driver side area - I think the rivets are loosening. Not trying to hijack here - has anyone had to use this bracket after simply welding? Just curious if I should start watching for the sale of this bracket?
Posted By: 3XCHARM
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 01:32 AM
Welding might help your situation, but most of the Dodge frames flex in this area. I just had to repair my 2wd frame behind the steering box. The bracket would be easy to make, or for the ultimate try boxing the frame.
http://rockcharger.com/rcs/rockcharger/crossover2.html
This isnt my info, it is some that was found on the web.
http://rockcharger.com/rcs/rockcharger/crossover2.html
This isnt my info, it is some that was found on the web.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 04:48 AM
So far I have seen two different brackets. Check out the picture, the one looks much stronger than the other. I have seen a few of the flat style brackets that were cracked where they bolt to the cross member.
Posted By: 57Plymouth
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 01:36 PM
I don't have the bracket, but I wish I did. I had a badly cracked frame on my 2wd when I rebuilt it, and the strut rod pockets had broken free of the front crossmember. I spent a lot of time drilling and grinding cracks and welding it all up. I also put a plate over both sides of the frame(clearanced for the steering box) and welded all of the crossmembers solid to the side rails. I also gusseted the front crossmember to the side rails and boxed in the side rails. Mine is stiff (VERY stiff) but I still want that little brace.
Posted By: 98RAM1500
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 05:22 PM
heres another pic of it off the truck and primered
Posted By: In_The_Pink
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/28/06 11:15 PM
Kind of related, but there was/is a factory recall on Dodge vans of the '74-'77 era because of the same problem- a crack develops in the frame rail near the steering gear box. Very common, unfortunately. 
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/29/06 02:28 AM
When I had the safty check done on my truck they told me the frame was moving when you turn the wheels. They wanted me to remove the rivits and bolt the front cross member on. I told them about the bracket and they said I could go with that. I made the bracket on my truck even stronger by adding more metel and welding up the seems. The truck handles realy good so I guess it works. I will try to get a picture of the one I installed on my truck. It would be very hard to bend or crack that one.
Posted By: Dallasdan
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/29/06 11:29 PM
Thanks for the link Joe! 
I already welded the area that flexes to the cross member. (just did it today) I am gonna see how this backet does, in conjunction with the welding of the seams. With the link you sent I will be able to box the frame in the front. I think I will end up boxing the whole front end eventually!
I already welded the area that flexes to the cross member. (just did it today) I am gonna see how this backet does, in conjunction with the welding of the seams. With the link you sent I will be able to box the frame in the front. I think I will end up boxing the whole front end eventually!
Posted By: C-Tech
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 10/30/06 12:22 PM
Quote:Oh gee thanks for rubbing in the fact that YOU live in a rust free zone and the rest of us live in the "holy cow they put down 2 tons of salt per mile for some light frost" zone
My 85 ramcharger 2wd does not have one. After 21 years the frame still looks good. Down here in rust-free Dallas. Could be it was for 4wd.
LOL 
Posted By: CBarge
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 11/04/06 01:44 AM
Quote:
the brackets didnt come out on anything from the factory assy line. they were a factory fixit for weak frames in the steering box area..
NEVER, even in the later years? My 91 RC has one and it looks factory to me as opposed to being added later. It is the less beefy version of the two shown in the pic. Found one today in an '88 RC 4X4 in the JY but it was cracked where it Y's out because the truck was wrecked. Took it anyway, it could be welded up if need be. JY owner gave it to me free after torching it out when we found the crack.
As an aside, when I told him what it was he told me the story of a guy with a 79 long box that came in looking for a steering box for it, "too much play in the steering" as he said. When they opened the hood to check it it they found that the frame was cracked all the way through. The guy instead decided to leave it there. The JY owner drove it in the yard, and said that when he did the frame flexed so bad the tranny kept popping out of gear.
He told me "you'd better take that(brace)with you." 
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/16/07 02:04 PM
Does anyone have one of these they are willing to part with? I have a few cracks around the steering box to repair and would like to reinforce this area.
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/16/07 05:11 PM
My prototype shows up this week, and if it is correct we will have brand new ones for everyone in about 40 days.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/16/07 07:02 PM
That's good to hear. I'm know that ever time I show someone the one that's on my truck they want to know where to get one. This weekend I found one on an 88 Ramcharger 4x4. Untill now I thought they only came on 2wd's.
Posted By: cornucopia
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/17/07 02:54 AM
Quote:count me in!!
My prototype shows up this week, and if it is correct we will have brand new ones for everyone in about 40 days.
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/19/07 06:42 PM
Check it out -
Can anyone get me the bolt sizes that hold these on - none of my trucks has one either! and I would like to include some hardware with them as an option.
Cost is looking like 40-50.00/ea at this time.
40-50 days they should be here!
And sorry but the prototype has already been promised to a customer.
Can anyone get me the bolt sizes that hold these on - none of my trucks has one either! and I would like to include some hardware with them as an option.
Cost is looking like 40-50.00/ea at this time.
40-50 days they should be here!
And sorry but the prototype has already been promised to a customer.
Posted By: NotEnufGarage
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/19/07 10:04 PM
Just curious, but the welds that hold the two parts of the bracket together don't look to impressive or maybe it's just the lighting in the picture. Also, why isn't it welded on the third side? Is there any chance of them pulling apart, or is there not enough stress on the whole bracket to worry about that?
They look great. I'll be getting one for my Li'l Red and my W100 as soon as they're available.
They look great. I'll be getting one for my Li'l Red and my W100 as soon as they're available.
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/19/07 10:20 PM
Good eye - I have already sent them instructions on the third side weld - the other 2 sides are pretty good - just do not show up well.
Posted By: Blown_Hemi
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/21/07 05:23 PM
Will they fit 2 and 4 wheel drive? The steering box mount in 2 different locations.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/23/07 05:08 AM
Quote:
Good eye - I have already sent them instructions on the third side weld - the other 2 sides are pretty good - just do not show up well.
Dave,
I hope you don't mind, I posted a pic and your info over at www.ramchargercentral.com
There should be some interest there as this has come up before and the brace is no longer available from Mopar.
Regards-Stevo
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/23/07 12:53 PM
No problem - I another part or two coming and then I was going to start sponsoring the board and advertise over there.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/25/07 11:06 PM
Hey guys - got a few request to place orders for the brackets, to be the "first in line". So I have added them to the website; again these will not be here for at least 40 days.
And trust me when they come in I will have plenty you will not miss out if you are not first in line to order.
If you want to pay with check or MO - just print the website page and mail a check to us.
Dodge Connection
2553 Sterling Oaks Ct
Orange Park FL 32073
http://www.dodgeconnection.com/catalog/item/2901766/4541374.htm
Thank you
DLS
And trust me when they come in I will have plenty you will not miss out if you are not first in line to order.
If you want to pay with check or MO - just print the website page and mail a check to us.
Dodge Connection
2553 Sterling Oaks Ct
Orange Park FL 32073
http://www.dodgeconnection.com/catalog/item/2901766/4541374.htm
Thank you
DLS
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/26/07 01:46 PM
Quote:
Will they fit 2 and 4 wheel drive? The steering box mount in 2 different locations.
Can someone help answer this; the bracket I copied came from a 2wd truck; I do not own a 4wd anyone out there know if will work on both trucks??
Thank you,
DLS
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/26/07 01:56 PM
It looks the same as the one my friend has on his 88 ramcharger 4x4. If I go back to his place this weekend I will take a better look and some more pictures.
Posted By: Blown_Hemi
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/26/07 06:05 PM
Quote:Quote:
Will they fit 2 and 4 wheel drive? The steering box mount in 2 different locations.
Can someone help answer this; the bracket I copied came from a 2wd truck; I do not own a 4wd anyone out there know if will work on both trucks??
Thank you,
DLS
I guess I will answer my question. If you copied a 2 wheel bracket the arm connected to the front crossmember will be longer than a 4 wheel one.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/26/07 11:09 PM
Why would it be loger? The bracket mounts to the inside of the frame. The other arm goes to the front cross member. The front cross member is the same for 2 and 4wd trucks except the 2wd has strut rod mounts on the bottom.
Posted By: LilRed7879
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/27/07 12:30 AM
Just a thought how much longer or shorter do you think one is vs the other ?
If you will notice where it attaches to the front cross member the bolt hole is actually a slot about 1" in length - flexibility for either truck ?
If you will notice where it attaches to the front cross member the bolt hole is actually a slot about 1" in length - flexibility for either truck ?
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/27/07 02:33 AM
The good thing about the older trucks (80 and under) is that there is no hole in the cross member. I just mounted the bracket, marked it with a punch and drilled the hole. That should work on all the pre 80's trucks, 2 or 4wd.
Posted By: Blown_Hemi
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/27/07 03:26 AM
Quote:
Why would it be loger? The bracket mounts to the inside of the frame. The other arm goes to the front cross member. The front cross member is the same for 2 and 4wd trucks except the 2wd has strut rod mounts on the bottom.
The steering box is mounted to the frame further forward on 4X4 trucks. For lifted 4X4 trucks with crossover steering the steering box gets mounted to the frame in the 2X4 location, further back on the frame rail.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/27/07 04:05 AM
The box on a 4x4 is mounted to a bracket that is mounted to the frame, I think the bracket is mounted in the same place as a 2wd box. I have a 78 4x4 frame out in the field. Tomorrow I'm going to take one of the brackets that I have and see if it will fit.
Posted By: Blown_Hemi
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/27/07 01:37 PM
Quote:
The box on a 4x4 is mounted to a bracket that is mounted to the frame, I think the bracket is mounted in the same place as a 2wd box. I have a 78 4x4 frame out in the field. Tomorrow I'm going to take one of the brackets that I have and see if it will fit.
No, the box/bracket is mounted further forward in 4X4 trucks. When you look at your 4X4 you will see the holes for the 2X4 mounting position further back on the frame.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/28/07 01:27 AM
Well the verdict is in. The mounting holes are in the same place on both 2 and 4wd trucks. The plate that is used to mount the steering box on the 4x4 is held on with only 3 bolts and only uses 2 of the 4 holes that are used to mount the 2wd box. It is 17" from the top bolt hole to the end of the frame on both trucks. Check out the pictures. This is the 2wd.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/28/07 01:29 AM
4wd
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/28/07 01:34 AM
I went the extra step and installed the bracket and the plate. On the 4wd you can only use 4 of the 5 bolts that you would use on a 2wd.
Posted By: 4dr4x4
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/28/07 01:37 AM
and one more from the outside of the frame.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: rare bracket behind steering gear box on 89 Ram - 04/28/07 03:21 AM
Quote:
and one more from the outside of the frame.
Good work! That also explains why the factory parts books list this brace for both 2wd and 4wd starting in 86.
BRACKET, Frame Rail Steering Gear Reinforcement
(Not Illustrated)
4322029 1 86-88
4447405 1 89-93
4322029 actually is superceded by 4447405
I have also been told that the bracket you show in this picture ia also available in a heavier duty design that was used on the later year trucks, it's just that the frame holes have to be enlarged.
